OK so I grew up here but left for a while. Household incomes average around $121,984 in Seattle. Average temperature is around 53°F, so expect cold winters. Poverty rate is 4.9%, which is pretty low. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The weather takes some getting used to. Is this normal for Seattle? The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
40 upvotes
30 Replies
Gabriella C.
good to know, thanks
40 upvotes
Easton S.
Came here for retirement and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The cultural scene is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Anna Anderson
Weather-wise, the summers are average and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
38 upvotes
Weston Perez
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Meadowbrook area are underrated. Kids love it here.
37 upvotes
austin_lillian
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 8 years. Moved from Raleigh for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Homeless population growing downtown. Limited entertainment options. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Andrew D.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Tampa and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in education. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
37 upvotes
Riley Torres
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Sophie
facts
34 upvotes
Avery Torres
noted, appreciate it
30 upvotes
Nova White
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The pet-friendliness is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
28 upvotes
Isla Richardson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is tough in most areas.
26 upvotes
Brenda C.
I've lived in North for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Houston, I was surprised by healthcare. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Close to major attractions
- The healthcare scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited high-paying job options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for young professionals. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
22 upvotes
Abigail Evans
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The nightlife is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Bella Campbell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value community vibe, you'll love it. The walkability is genuinely underrated and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Riverside) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
18 upvotes
Kai Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 5 years. Moved from San Francisco for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Andrew Brown
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in manufacturing. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
17 upvotes
Nolan Ruiz
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are challenging, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
16 upvotes
Claire Flores
I work in healthcare here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is pretty good. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
14 upvotes
charlotte_julia
this is the way
14 upvotes
vegas_elizabeth
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a data analyst, 49, moved here 9 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Midtown and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Low crime in most neighborhoods
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
13 upvotes
Nancy A.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. the quality of life is solid. Internet is tough in most areas.
12 upvotes
Ava Morgan
I work in retail here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is pretty good. Hope this helps!.
8 upvotes
Emma Ross
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Reagan Ramos
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
3 upvotes
Xavier Stewart
accurate
3 upvotes
Sadie Wright
I've been living here for 6 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The walkability is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
2 upvotes
Ethan Green
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
1 upvotes
sacramento_elena
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Portland it's improving.
1 upvotes
Jack Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are solid and winters are stable. You get used to it after the first year.
1 upvotes
Bella
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
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